The National NeedleArts Association once again exhibits at the event series world-famous for its crafty creativity.

ZANESVILLE, OH — The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) recently exhibited at the Maker Faire Bay Area. The two-day Faire, which took place at the San Mateo County (CA) Event Center, is said to have attracted more than 100,000 attendees. Now in its seventh year and produced by MAKE Magazine and O'Reilly Media, the Faire is described as "part playground, part science fair, part welding shop, part county fair and 100 percent unique.”

It's the perfect opportunity for TNNA to reach out to people of all ages, and teach them about the needlearts,” notes TNNA Executive Director Patty Parrish. "People who attend the Faire are looking to explore different skills and ideas, and many of them see creative possibilities open up to them with a simple crochet hook and some yarn, or a needle and canvas.”

Frederikka Payne, owner of Aurora Yarns in Moss Beach, CA, has been helping coordinate the TNNA booth at Makers Faire events across the country in recent years. While each event presents its own unique challenges and rewards, she says, the San Mateo event had a particularly enthusiastic crowd.

"One young girl that we taught how to knit last year came back to learn how to crochet, cross-stitch and needlepoint this year,” Payne offers as an example. "We told her, ‘OK, next year, you're back here to teach with us!'”

Payne says the booth's success was due in no small part to the efforts of TNNA Board Member Dale Lenci, DJ Designs in San Francisco, as well as several staffers from Lacis in Berkeley, CA. "They were teaching and demonstrating some unusual needlework techniques, too, like tatting and locker-hooking,” Payne says. "Many of them stayed extra hours and made sure we were never short-handed, which was wonderful.”

The next Maker Faire at which TNNA will exhibit takes place July 28-29, in Dearborn, MI, at The Henry Ford. Payne is looking forward to the event, but reiterates that donations and volunteers are always needed.

"To celebrate the fact that we now have a spinning and weaving component to TNNA, we would particularly love donations of drop spindles and fiber at this event,” she says. But everything is welcome, she adds: "Even if you have a few spare items — books, accessories — that you can't donate large quantities of, for example, we could use in our ‘goody bags' we give our teachers and volunteers in exchange for their time and talents. Whatever you can spare from your inventory is always put to good use!”

All volunteers are kept "well hydrated” at the booth, Payne quips, and also receive free admission to that day's event. Delicious food options and camaraderie abound, she says, so if you're interested, please contact her directly at info@aurorayarns.net or by phone at 415-279-2092.

About TNNATNNA is a non-profit trade organization established in 1974 and is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of needle arts, through trade shows, educational seminars, special events, public relations and professional programs that continue to meet the needs of the industry. For more information, visit www.tnna.org.

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The National NeedleArts Association advances its community of professional businesses by encouraging the passion and leadership for needlearts through education, industry knowledge exchange and a strong marketplace.